More than 10,000 former OFWs return to teaching under government reintegration program
The Philippine government announced Wednesday that more than 10,000 former overseas Filipino workers who passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) have successfully returned to the country’s public education system through a dedicated reintegration initiative. The Department of Migrant Workers said the milestone was achieved through its “Sa ‘Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS) program, which translates to “In...
China’s Northern Frontiers Draw Crowds for Affordable Northern Lights Tour During Solar Activity Peak
MOHE, China — As the sun reaches the height of its 11-year activity cycle in 2025, Chinese travelers are increasingly heading to the country’s far north to catch the northern lights, discovering a bucket-list spectacle that costs a fraction of trips to Scandinavia. Once a rare sight requiring expensive flights to Norway, Finland or Iceland, the aurora borealis is now...
DMW Partners With 27 Groups to Boost OFW Reintegration in Northern Mindanao
The Department of Migrant Workers' regional office in Northern Mindanao has forged partnerships with 27 agencies, institutions and organizations to bolster a national network aimed at helping returning overseas Filipino workers reintegrate into society. The agreements were signed Wednesday in Cagayan de Oro City as part of efforts to strengthen the National Reintegration Network (NRN), a program designed to provide...
DFA Expects Positive Developments in Release of Filipino Seafarers Held by Houthis
MANILA — The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs expressed optimism Tuesday about imminent progress in securing the release of nine Filipino crew members held by Yemen's Houthi rebels, citing assistance from Middle Eastern partner countries. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told reporters that unnamed regional allies were actively supporting Manila's appeals for the seafarers' freedom. "We are hopeful that we...
Trump Says He Would Sign Bill to Release Epstein Investigation Files
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday that he would sign legislation authorizing the release of files from the federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, a move that could bring long-withheld documents about the late financier and convicted sex offender into public view. Speaking to reporters during an Oval Office event, Trump was asked directly whether he would approve such a...
Philippines Repatriates Record 346 Trafficking Victims from Myanmar Scam Compounds
MANILA — The Philippine government repatriated 346 overseas Filipino workers who had been trafficked and forced to work in online scam operations in Myanmar, marking the largest single group rescued from the Southeast Asian nation to date, officials said Wednesday. The victims arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport aboard a government-chartered Philippine Airlines flight shortly after 3:25 p.m. local time....
Philippine Lawmaker Pushes Consular offices to serve OFWs even on weekends, holidays
MANILA — A Philippine congressman urged embassies and consulates worldwide Wednesday to extend services to overseas Filipino workers on weekends and holidays, citing the migrants' limited time off and financial pressures that make routine errands a hardship. Rep. Bryan Revilla, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and a lawmaker from the AGIMAT party-list, proposed that Philippine diplomatic...
BBC Apologizes to Trump Over Edited Jan. 6 Speech Clip but Rejects $1B Lawsuit Threat
LONDON — The BBC issued a personal apology Thursday to President Donald Trump over a documentary that his lawyers deemed defamatory, but the British broadcaster insisted there is no legal basis for a lawsuit and no plans to pay any damages. The apology came amid a deepening crisis at the publicly funded broadcaster, which has lost two senior executives to...
Filipino Bettor Wins P81.8-M Lotto Jackpot in Southern Leyte
A lucky bettor in the rural province of Southern Leyte scooped up an 81.8 million peso ($1.4 million) jackpot in Thursday's Lotto 6/42 drawing, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office announced Friday. The winner matched all six numbers — 18-28-08-30-41-06 — in the popular game, which offers odds of about 1 in 5.2 million, according to PCSO officials. The prize, before...
Domestic Helper Arrested in Theft of HK$520,000 From Employer in Luxury Apartment
A Filipina domestic helper was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of stealing about 520,000 Hong Kong dollars ($66,700) in cash from her employer in a high-end apartment in Hong Kong's upscale Happy Valley neighborhood, police said. The 59-year-old employer, a woman from mainland China, reported the theft around 9:30 a.m. after discovering the money — comprising 500,000 Hong Kong dollars and...
